5
After posting that message, he never updated again.
But I had a feeling he wouldn’t leave me alone.
Eventually his account was banned after people reported him for harassment and delusional behavior.
Anyone would be creeped out by a guy who thinks a glance in his direction means you’re flirting with him.
For my own safety, I packed up and left the apartment complex that day.
I rented those two units to a couple of big, burly guys, hoping that would deter Lucas.
I ended up renting an apartment in Ryan’s complex. It required facial recognition to enter, which seemed safer, even if the rent was higher. It basically cost the same as the income from my two rental units.
For two months, I lived in constant fear. I bought door stoppers and carried a taser and pepper spray everywhere. In parking lots, I was always on high alert, terrified someone might jump out and kidnap me.
Lucas had severely impacted my mental state. I even had thoughts of killing him to end the threat once and for all.
But he faced no real consequences, just a beating. Even if he had actually done something to me, he’d be out in a few years. Meanwhile, I was the victim forced to hide. It felt so unfair.
4:00 PM
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Eventually I saw a therapist. She suggested I take up martial arts to channel my energy and anxiety.
I followed her advice and signed up for jiu–jitsu classes. Once I could take down a grown man, my anxiety did improve quite a bit.
After Ryan started dating someone, I stopped bothering him as much and only met up occasionally.
It took over two years for me to emerge from that dark shadow. After that, I threw myself into my work.
As a photographer, I had a separate work account to add clients for photoshoots. Sometimes people would ask about pricing and then shop around to compare styles and rates with other photographers.
So it wasn’t unusual for someone to add me and then not follow up.
But recently, I started receiving explicit photos‘ on my work account. When I blocked one account, another would pop up and send more.
This was seriously impacting my work.
Someone even mailed used men’s underwear and socks to my studio.
I realized I was being harassed and went to the police station to file a report. After taking my statement, the officer told me to go home and
wait.
I temporarily deactivated my work account, not wanting to see any more of that filth.
As I was heading to the nearby underground parking garage, a woman in her fifties approached me with some flyers.
She said she had taken in some stray cats and would lose her job if she couldn’t find any customers today.
Without an income, she wouldn’t be able to care for the cats. She begged me to help her out.
I wanted to refuse, but looking at her honest face, I felt a pang of sympathy.
I had a rescue cat at home that I’d taken in last year, so I felt for her situation.
So I followed her towards the beauty salon, offering to donate some cat food and litter for her strays.
She said that would be great.
But her mind seemed elsewhere. She kept looking around like she didn’t know the way.
“What kind of beauty salon isn’t in a busy area? Why is it way out in the suburbs?” I asked casually.
My offhand comment made her freeze.
In that split second of hesitation, I turned and ran in the opposite direction.
The wind whipped past my ears as I heard the woman shout behind me: “Hurry! She’s getting away!”
When I glanced back, I saw a man emerge from a nearby corner. It was Lucas!
People tend to make mistakes when panicked. I tripped on a small raised edge on the ground. I scrambled to get up, but Lucas had already
caught up to me,
He stood in front of me, panting.
“Why are you running? Am I that scary?
Do you know how much I’ve missed you all these years? I’ve been thinking about you so much I can barely eat or work. Every time I close my eyes, all I see is you!
I love you! I love you! Please be my girlfriend. Fm the only one who’s right for you. All other men are just trying to trick you! I’ll take care of you for the rest of your life! I’ll make you the happiest woman in the world!
Loren Budderdy i modired a strange smelt coming from him that made my head spin and my limbs on weak.
4:00 PM
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